Jan Zumbach's Spitfire Vb

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I know that once upon a time it was possible to get and Airfix version of a Spitfire Vb to model as that flown by Jan Zumbach, but it's no longer available, and I couldn't find one anywhere on t'interweb. so being inspired by reading the really excellent book on 303 Squadron (by Arkady Fiedler - strongly recommended!) I found some after-market decals of Zumbach's aircraft, and the A02046A 1/72 Spitfire Vb and the build commenced.

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First of all, it's a surprisingly old mould - 

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- which meant that there was no cockpit detail (with the somehat surprising exception of a reflector gunsight), and also raised panel lines. As far as the lack of interior detail was concerned, I scratched some generic side-wall detailing, and decided to be very brave and get rid of most of the raised panel lines and scribe some of my own.

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The lack of any wheel-well detail was a particular problem, as there was simply a large void, so plastic strip was formed round a suitable paintbrush handle using the hot water moulding method, and a blanking piece then inserted (with a bit of generic rib detail):

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Thereafter, although there were one or two fit issues (requiring a modicum of filler - not really surprising on such an old mould) it was a very straightforward and enjoyable build. As usual for me, all the painting was brush applied using Vallejo Model Air acrylics. In the next picture you can see my attempt at panel lines (they look muuch better from a distance...)

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And so the final few pictures show the completed model:

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All of which I hope does justice to the kit, and especially pays tribute to Jan Zumbach, a very brave man who - along with his Polish comrades - fought so valiantly for Britain, so to finish, here's a picture of the model along side Jan Zumbach (as featured in Arkady Fiedler's book "303 Squadron - The Legendary Battle of Britain Fighter Squadron" publ by Aquila Polonica):

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Thanks for taking a look...

[Peter s]

Thats a really nice job. I built a similar Vb as part of the "channel dash" twin pack (with a new tool Swordfish) and for a kit pushing 50 year old it still builds up well. I do a lot of Polish RAF aircraft too. Great subjects. Those guys REALLY fought hard.

[Pretty Mediocre Modeller]

reminds of the time the BNP's leader Nick Griffin did a press conference in front of a big picture of a Spitfire ( I suppose to show what a great country Britain was). Ironically for a party that was anti immigration it was a picture of the BBMF's Vb in the Polish markings of Jan Zumbach! That karma can really come back and bite you. 

[Kenneth ONeill]

How time flies!! I remember building that when it was a "new tool" (and a major advance on the JE-J mk IX).

[Peter s]

reminds of the time the BNP's leader Nick Griffin did a press conference in front of a big picture of a Spitfire ( I suppose to show what a great country Britain was). Ironically for a party that was anti immigration it was a picture of the BBMF's Vb in the Polish markings of Jan Zumbach! That karma can really come back and bite you. 

I got the same as a leaflet through the door then they sent some idiot round to canvas me. I did enjoy dragging it out and making him admit he didn't know what the chequer board means. Dangerous being anti-Polish in Nottingham. I work with a guy who's a great nephew of Witold Urbanowicz (brother's grand-son I think) & the Polish Catholic club is filled with paintings of Poles bayonetting people in WW2 (also Elvis..... weird) Ignoring the recent immigrants there were so many Poles with bomber command based around here who couldn't go back home its been a huge community for nearly 80 years.